"Blue Moon"

Have you ever heard the term “Once in a blue moon?”

This expression is commonly used metaphorically to describe the rarity of an event. However a true “Blue Moon” is the second full moon in a calendar month. This generally happens on average every 2 1/2 to 3 years.

Usually months have only one full moon, but occasionally a second one sneaks in. Full moons are separated by 29 days, while most months are 30 or 31 days long; so it is possible to fit two full moons in a single month.

The next “Blue Moon” will occur this year in December.  The first full moon of that month will occur on December 2.  The second and “Blue Moon” will occur on December 31.

On Monday I went to Northwest Baptist Church (Toledo) to do a story about a “Right to Bear Arms Rally.”  I know it can be a controversial subject but no matter my beliefs or yours I met some of the nicest people at that church.

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Empire Drift won the “Song of Toledo” contest, so my capable producer and I set out to make promos highlighting all the different places mentioned in “A Good Place to Call Home.” We hit the docks, Fifth Third Field, the Blarney, the Beirut, Adams Street District & much more. The professionally shot videos will soon begin airing on FOX Toledo, but I wanted to give everyone a behind the scenes look at the silliness that goes on during one of my shoots. Thanks to Sarah, my producer, who is sooo laid back and fun, and also to Joanna, an intern from BGSU who did the Flip video taping.

Summer is here, and I’m loving every minute of it! It seemed like it took awhile to get here this year, but seemingly overnight, it has come with a vengeance.

I can see why some aren’t too fond of the heat, but I’ll take the quick onset of perspiration, over being so cold I can hardly move, any day! It seems the cold days far outweigh the warm ones, here in the midwest. In fact, anytime I muse I might want to live in a warmer state someday, I often get the response,

“But don’t you like having the four seasons?”

To which I reply,

“Four? I only really recognize two. A long, cold winter, and a short, HOT, summer. ”

But whether or not you agree with me on that subject, I am thankful to be living here once the sun starts shining in all its glory. There are plenty of things to do in this area to enjoy the warm weather. From festivals, to grilling out at home, to a pool to cool off in within pretty much every ten-mile radius, you can’t beat summertime in the Toledo area!

When I was a little girl my aunt was a huge fan of Michael Jackson.

You see my aunt Sandra was mentally retarded but she knew all the lyrics to MJ’s songs.

Although she never got to see him in person she would cry, just like his fans, when he appeared on TV.

Every year during the holidays shopping for my aunt was a breeze.

I knew if I could find something MJ related it would definitely make her happy and because of her condition it was my top priority to put a smile on her face.

Well just last year a day before MJ’s 50th birthday my aunt passed away.

But before she died my mother’s sister bought her a DVD of all the greatest Michael Jackson videos.

I would sometimes get bothered because it was always on when I came home to visit but I never complained.

Besides I hate watching Thriller because it’s scary, but no, it didn’t bother her in fact she would always laugh at the woman screaming in the video.

To make it worth her while I even decided to learn the “Beat It” dance to lift up her spirits.

While weak from her illness she would sometimes even dance with me.

A few days before my aunt Sandra passed, I told her that she had to get better so we could throw her a party.

I told her we’ll have cake, ice cream and she abruptly interrupted me and added “And Michael Jackson”.

I have to say after she died I couldn’t bare to listen to Michael Jackson anymore.

But now that he’s gone, I know she was the FIRST person waiting by the gates of heaven to welcome him in.

To be honest with you I feel a little better about my aunt’s death because now I know she’s dancing and singing up in heaven with him.

So here’s one to my aunt Sandra and MJ. I’ll miss you both!!

They Told Him Don’t You Ever Come Around Here
Don’t Wanna See Your Face, You Better Disappear
The Fire’s In Their Eyes And Their
Words Are Really Clear
So Beat It, Just Beat It

[2nd Verse]
You Better Run, You Better Do What You Can
Don’t Wanna See No Blood, Don’t Be A Macho Man
You Wanna Be Tough, Better Do What You Can
So Beat It, But You Wanna Be Bad

[Chorus]
Just Beat It, Beat It, Beat It, Beat It
No One Wants To Be Defeated
Show ‘em How Funky Strong Is Your Fight
It Doesn’t Matter Who’s Wrong Or Right
Just Beat It, Beat It
Just Beat It, Beat It
Just Beat It, Beat It
Just Beat It, Beat It

[3rd Verse]
They’re Out To Get You, Better
Leave While You Can
Don’t Wanna Be A Boy, You Wanna Be A Man
You Wanna Stay Alive, Better Do What You Can
So Beat It, Just Beat It

[4th Verse]
You Have To Show Them That
You’re Really Not Scared
You’re Playin’ With Your Life,
This Ain’t No Truth Or Dare
[ Find more Lyrics on www.mp3lyrics.org/DE ]
They’ll Kick You, Then They Beat You,
Then They’ll Tell You It’s Fair
So Beat It, But You Wanna Be Bad

[Chorus]
Just Beat It, Beat It, Beat It, Beat It
No One Wants To Be Defeated
Show em’ How Funky Strong Is Your Fight
It Doesn’t Matter Who’s Wrong Or Right

[Chorus]
Just Beat It, Beat It, Beat It, Beat It
No One Wants To Be Defeated
Show em’ How Funky Strong Is Your Fight
It Doesn’t Matter Who’s Wrong Or Right
Just Beat It, Beat It, Beat
It, Beat It, Beat It

[Chorus]
Beat It, Beat It, Beat It, Beat It
No One Wants To Be Defeated
Show em’ How Funky Strong Is Your Fight
It Doesn’t Matter Who’s Wrong Or Right

[Chorus]
Just Beat It, Beat It, Beat It, Beat It
No One Wants To Be Defeated
Show em’ How Funky Strong Is Your Fight
It Doesn’t Matter Who’s Wrong Or Who’s Right

[Chorus]
Just Beat It, Beat It, Beat It, Beat It
No One Wants To Be Defeated
Show em’ How Funky Strong Is Your Fight
It Doesn’t Matter Who’s Wrong Or Right

[Chorus]
Just Beat It, Beat It, Beat It, Beat It
No One Wants To Be Defeated
Show em’ How Funky Strong Is Your Fight
It Doesn’t Matter Who’s Wrong Or Right
Just Beat It, Beat It
Beat It, Beat It, Beat It

My sisters didn’t believe it when I sent out the mass text message regarding Michael Jackson’s death. Alas, it is true. And even with all of the King of Pop’s seemingly strange behavior over the years, it is still hard to swallow.

I’m sure it is hard to find any female in her 30’s or 40’s that didn’t have a poster of Michael Jackson on her bedroom wall in the 1980’s. I did. I even kept the jacket of my Thriller LP displayed proudly on my dresser. My husband had a Michael Jackson jacket and glittery glove. And we all moon walked (or attempted to) at school dances.

MJ is one of just a few music icons to die in my lifetime. I wasn’t born when Elvis passed. And I can barely remember when John Lennon was shot. We lost Johnny Cash a few years ago, along with Joey Ramone in 2001. Nevertheless, tonight I will put on Billie Jean and light a candle for Michael Jackson.

I think the FOX Toledo newsroom is in shock as much as anyone else. To have two people who’ve influenced pop culture as much as these die on the same day is so unsusual.

I remember the huge popularity of the Charlie’s Angels TV show.  We girls all wanted perfect Farrah feathered hair at the time.  And that poster.  Many of you probably still have one somewhere.  Her battle with cancer just proved to be too much.

From “One Bad Apple” to  “Rock With You” to “Thriller”, Michael Jackson gave us a groundbreaking library of music and music videos.  How sad that his personal life, including scandal and extreme plastic surgery often took the attention away from all that he accomplished.  I believe that the sudden loss of Jackson will refocus our view from his quirks to his gifts to the evolution and history of pop music.

Rest in peace, Michael and Farrah.

On Thursday July 2nd the Stormtracker Weather Team will be at the Perrysburg Kroger location from 3 to 7pm.  We will be joined by members of the National Weather Service, Cleveland office and representatives from the Midland Co.  Midland manufactures the weather radios we have been promoting for the last several weeks.

On Thursday you will have a chance to chat with members of the weather team and if interested purchase a Midland All Hazards Weather Radio.

Since I have only been in Toledo since August, I haven’t had many opportunities to meet members of the community and I am very excited about this opportunity.  I hope to see you there!

I am on the hunt for a new I-Pod. Any ideas for the best one?

I need something that I can run with, and one that can hold plenty of music. Right now my my Samsung “egg-pod” holds about 50 songs, and let me tell you, that gets really annoying.

I guess I just want to get the most for my money.

Also on the topic of running…

What are the best cross trainers out there right now? I have some New Balances which work pretty well, but after many work outs, I have blisters. I am looking for a pair that can support me a little bit better.

In October, for my birthday, my husband got me a Pandora bracelet.  If you are not familiar with them, it is a modern day charm bracelet.  You purchase the bracelet and then progressively buy beads for the bracelet that are sentimental to events of people in your life.   

Since October my bracelet has grown from three beads to eleven.  Ido know many people that will buy a bracelet and fill it with charms immediately.  But, Ihave really been enjoying just adding a bead here and there to signify something that happened in my life.  I find myself gazing at the bracelet during the day and thinking about the memories associated with each bead. 

So I was wondering who else out there has a Pandora, Troll, or Chamilia bracelet.  And what is your favorite bead and why? 

I know it is a lighter blog this time around, but I really am amazed with how many people have these bracelets around their wrists.